Thursday, November 25, 2010

Not a very glamorous photo for the day, but...my daughter is with me for the holiday, and last night, after doing some baking (two batches of chocolate-chip banana bread, one of which I'm going to turn into banana bread pudding with a vanilla creme anglaise, a la Pioneer Woman (ish) for dessert tonight), we were watching a movie...at one point I got up to check how the banana bread was doing, and as I returned, I saw this sight. And I realized that everything I love the most, all the things I am most thankful for, were right there in front of me.

So, a quick post today just to say Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends, family, followers, fellow bloggers, fellow photographers, and even just nice folks whose paths might cross mine...I wish you all a peaceful day filled with the joy of loved ones and pleasing comforts.

Monday, November 22, 2010

I love books. Have always loved books. Over the years had amassed a collection of literally thousands of books. At my house, they were everywhere - bookshelves, stairs, chairs, floor, everywhere. When I moved, I had to get rid of a lot of books. A LOT of books. A lot. It was sad. They were my friends. At any time I could go...there's a picture...of an aqua slat-back chair in a garden...and I knew just where the book was that had that picture...or that recipe...or that quote.

A few years back I was inspired (by some blog photo, I'm sure!) to sort my books on shelves by color. People thought it was crazy, how would I ever find anything. But I'm a very visual person, and very quickly I knew books by spine color as well as by title, author, or subject, and had no problem finding anything.

It was a little disconcerting to move to this apartment and set up my new lovely bookshelves...and find that the books I had kept in the move just BARELY filled the shelves. My apartment feels a little...vacant...with so few books.

I'm slowly restocking. And each new book is like a new friend - telling new stories, taking me to new places, teaching me new things, inspiring me in new ways.

So imagine my pleasure in learning of this amazing giveaway by Chronicle Books - list up to $500 worth of Chronicle books you'd like to win...and you're entered to win them! AND, if you're a reader of Dragonfly and comment on this post, you can win, too!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Remember this song?? It came out in the mid-60s...I can remember me and my
cousins begging my aunt and uncle to drive us up and down Hollywood Boulevard
and Sunset Strip the summer it was out on the radio to look for "hippies." hee
hee. We would literally point and collapse into hysterics in the back seat when
we saw a group of long-hairs with their peace beads and suede fringed vests and
striped bellbottoms.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Oh, I was so happy to hear today of the engagement of Prince William and
(commoner) Kate Middleton. I'm not big on much celebrity gossip, but I do love a
wedding story, and ESPECIALLY a ROYAL wedding!

And while I secretly hoped that Prince William would end up with MY
(daughter) Kate, I do think these two are a darling couple. I'm especially
pleased that he was able to give her his mother's sapphire and diamond
engagement ring.

hee hee, silly royal wedding china (I secretly want it).

I remember in vivid detail every moment of Princess Diana and Prince Charles'
wedding. My mother and I got up in the wee hours'o'the morning and watched Every
Minute. It was...amazing and unforgettable.

Andrew & Fergie's seemed "sweet" in comparison, but. Still.

And when all was said and done, I was happy when Charles finally married
Camilla. They belonged to together. It was a sensible wedding for a sensible
couple. I hope they're happy.

and oh. Grace Kelly as a bride simply takes my breath away. sigh.

yes, I know. Not royalty. Really. But come on. The Kennedys are as close as we
get this side of the pond. And they were SO elegant. What a heartbreak.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Yesterday I went to a food photography seminar. Now, I'm no food photographer...or food blogger...I like LOVE food, but other than the occasional awesome sandwich, I really don't cook much. So - why a food photography seminar? I figured I'd pick up some tips for basic tabletop product photography (which I did); I'd force myself out my normal routine and try something new (which I did), and I'd meet some new people (which I did).

The seminar was presented by Salvatore Brancifort - a professional photographer who had good tips on the use of artificial lighting and some makeshift reflectors (and was pretty easy on the eyes, to boot!); and Hazel Sy, a food blogger. Both were very helpful and nice and made the seminar interesting.

In the end, I don't think I'll be quitting my day job anytime soon to become a food photographer (!), but it was fun to do something totally different...and here are some of my photos from the day...

and I'm happy to say that I have a model coming next Saturday for a Dragonfly shoot, so will finally have some new things up in the store. yay.

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bettye rainwater photography

once i saw a dragonfly

50-something work in progress....i love trying new things...love to read, am passionate about taking pictures - of EVERYTHING. I love my animals. I'm vegan. I have too much stuff. I like to make things pretty. I don't see the world in black and white, but in all the glorious technicolor shades of grey.